Leadership Practices that Enhance Academic Engagement in Higher Education: A Systematic Literature Review
Abstract
Leadership practices in higher education are critical for enhancing academic engagement by fostering an environment that promotes student success. Factors such as academic profiles, technology integration, and pedagogical approaches influence these practices and drive student progress. This systematic literature review examined secondary data and employed content analysis to identify leadership practices that enhance academic engagement. In line with PRISMA guidelines for transparency and validity, the study searched Scopus and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed articles published between 2020 and 2025. Keywords used included "leadership practices," "academic engagement," and "higher education." Applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 39 eligible articles were selected for review. The study found that instructional and transformational leadership practices enhance academic engagement through clear goals, a shared vision, and a sense of responsibility. Distributed and servant leadership also promote engagement by fostering motivation and shared decision-making. These findings highlight how effective leadership contributes to a collaborative and supportive environment that encourages excellence and commitment from students and academics. The study concludes that leadership practices are vital for achieving academic engagement in higher education. It contributes to understanding leadership's role in institutional success. The implication is that applying appropriate leadership practices can foster a more engaged academic environment, suggesting that higher education institutions should implement leadership practices that promote inclusive, collaborative environments conducive to academic engagement.
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